UPDATE SUNDAY:
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A GLIDER pilot killed in a crash may have been attempting an emergency landing at the time.
A witness saw the 75-year-old crash into a paddock off Murray Road in Benalla about 2pm on Saturday afternoon.
They told police the glider appeared to have been attempting to land in the field, but crashed.
Police are working with the Gliding Federation of Australia to determine the cause of the crash.
Sergeant Shaun Hillier said there were “a lot of unknowns at this stage”.
“He was an experienced pilot from what we’ve been told,” he said.
“A motorist that was travelling on Murray Road saw it go down.
“A witness described it as possibly trying to make an emergency landing.”
The glider had taken off from the Benalla Airport and crashed on private property.
Tributes have flowed for the Frankston man, who died at the scene.
The white glider was significantly damaged in the crash.
Mr Shirley said the club, which started in 1929 and had operated at Benalla Airport since 1952, prided itself on safety.
"We pride ourselves on being a safe club," he told Fairfax Media.
"We emphasise safety at all times. We just don't know at this point what happened.
“We are shocked and distressed about it and we're feeling for his family and for his relatives and everyone concerned."
Sergeant Hillier said the Civil Aviation and Safety Authority would not investigate as the glider did not have a motor.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau were notified by police.
The gliders federation will prepare a report for police, who will investigate and prepare a report for the coroner.
Mr Wilson died when his hang-glider crashed into a field at the town's airport on August 13.
-with The Age
UPDATE SATURDAY:
Tributes have flown for a Melbourne man killed when his glider crashed into a paddock outside Benalla on Saturday.
Benalla’s Gliding Club of Victoria spokesman Tim Shirley said facts were still coming to light as police and the Gliding Federation Australia investigate the circumstances of the crash.
“He was a well-known and well-respected member of the club for 15 years,” Mr Shirley said.
“He was the only person in the glider and it was a routine recreation flight he had undertaken before.”
Mr Shirley said the loss was being felt throughout the gliding community.
“The club is shocked,” he said.
“We’re feeling very much for him, his family and relatives.”
Mr Shirley said no one else was involved or injured in the incident and police and the federation would release facts as they came to light.
3.30pm
A man has died following a glider crash in Benalla today.
Police confirmed the glider came down in a paddock on Murray Road, Benalla, shortly before 2pm.
The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be established.
Emergency crews responded but the man, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene.
Ambulance Victoria media office Paul Bentley said paramedics were called to the scene at 1.55pm.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority will attend and police remained on scene into the afternoon.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
MORE TO COME
